A BonV Aero logistics UAV during a high-altitude test-flight. (Photo: BonV Aero)
New Delhi: BonV Aero, an Odisha-based drone startup, has entered the International Book of Records after successfully conducting a hover flight at 19,024 feet (5,799 metres), carrying a payload of 30 kilograms, the company said in a release on Friday. The company, a supplier of heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicles to the Indian Army, completed this test at Umling-la (Umling pass) in Ladakh.
BonV Aero’s UAV lifted a payload of 30 kilograms. This surpassed the capabilities of the Army’s Cheetah helicopter, which can only manage to carry 20 kilograms of payload under similar high-altitude conditions. The drone achieved this with a maximum take-off weight of 100 kilograms, which included the weight of the drone itself.
According to Army sources, the service is currently using 15–20 of BonV Aero’s drones for logistics delivery in high-altitude and difficult terrains on a trial basis.
On this feat, Satyabrata Satapathy, co-founder and CEO of BonV Aero, said: “This world record is a moment of pride for us. We have been working closely with the Indian Army to develop a UAV platform that addresses their logistical challenges in high-altitude regions. This test reinforces our commitment to keep pushing the boundaries of aerial mobility solutions for our defence forces.”
The achievement is particularly significant for military operations in challenging terrains, such as Siachen, where altitudes range from 12,000 to 18,000 feet (3,600 to 5,500 metres) above mean sea level. BonV Aero’s drone, with its superior payload capacity, could potentially transform transport and supply chain solutions along India’s northern and eastern borders, the company said in the release.
Abinash Sahoo, co-founder and CTO, attributed the success to the company’s in-house research and development, design capabilities, and indigenous propulsion system. He added: “This platform has a variety of diverse use-cases including in the humanitarian aid and disaster response (HADR) segment.”
The world record positions BonV Aero as a leader in heavy-lift logistics UAVs and paves the way for expanded use of drones in high-altitude logistics across both military and civilian sectors. The company also said it plans to continue refining its technology for even more demanding environments, potentially revolutionizing aerial logistics operations in India and beyond.
